Well Now I've Done It...

I put myself out there on the Baltimore Sun's Mobbies Awards. A contest for local bloggers and tweeters, it's a really great way to gain exposure, invite new readers and connect with some local people. I've asked family and friends to vote for this blog and for my personal Twitter account (@GCGeek), but I'm honestly not concerned about winning.

I can't even say "Just being nominated is an honor," because I nominated myself. Let's say I honored myself.

What's crazy is I've also signed up for NaNoWriMo (writing a novel in 30 days along with people across the globe - read my recent post on this fabulous event). I started yesterday, and it will take most of my attention when I'm not working the day job, which is not slowing down anytime soon.

But I should really give my blog some much needed attention, especially if folks are going to pop by and check it out. If you're a new reader, thank you for stopping in! If you're one of my regular readers, then you're a true friend and you deserve the same courtesy of some fresh content here.

All I can say is I'll do my best this month! This blog is listed under humor, which adds the extra pressure of "be funny!", which is always my goal, but everyone knows you can't force it. If you don't prefer my sense of humor or writing style, no hard feelings. I'm not in this for an ego trip. I like to write, and laugh, and think, and share, and hopefully make you laugh. And think. And share.

Hey, here's to a fun month of writing!

Cheers!
~Mike

Sounds So Crazy It Just Might Work: Writing a Novel in 30 Days at NaNoWriMo

I have a lot of friends on Twitter. Many of them are writers. And some of those writers have tricked me into joining them for the National Novel Writing Month in November, sponsored by a fabulous web site for writers: NaNoWriMo.

OK, I wasn't really tricked. I was encouraged. And that's the point of this exercise. You can buddy up with other writers, receive pep talks from professionals, and daily encouragement from everyone in it with you. Write a 50,000-word (approximately 175-page) or greater novel in the month of November.

I encourage you to peruse the site and get inspired like I have.

I am not a novelist. I do not expect this to be a brilliant piece of art. More like a piece of crap. But I am a writer. I blog and have freelanced for several sites now. I published my first interview a few weeks ago and am lining up more. I've also learned newswriting (for radio and television), screenplay writing for film, and my true love: television writing (I'm writing two sit com specs).

Why a novel? Why not?! This is what sold me, straight from the site:

If you don't do it now, you probably never will. Novel writing is mostly a "one day" event. As in "One day, I'd like to write a novel." Here's the truth: 99% of us, if left to our own devices, would never make the time to write a novel.

There's lots great info in the full FAQ.

Independent book stores and libraries are opening their doors for NaNoWriMo. There are people in your local area gearing up for this incredible event. And there are lots of folks online. You probably know some right now.

So I declare I'm writing my first novel starting next week. When I quit smoking, I didn't announce it until I had started. Then I stuck to it. I announced it because I knew in the end, I would be proud and much better off for kicking the habit. I don't feel writing is an addiction, but a calling. And I will be much better off once I've been through the process of knocking out 175 pages of fiction. It may not end up on my Kindle, but I'm sure pieces of it will end up in a script.

I really look forward to the camaraderie and the commiseration. If you're a writer, or have just wanted to be one, I hope you join us! And if you want a writing buddy, look me up! I'm GCGeek on NaNo (just like Twitter).

Good luck!